12 injured in explosion at HIL Eloor

Wednesday, Nov 2, 2016,13:25 ISTBy Metrovaartha AAA

Kochi | At least 12 persons were injured, one of them seriously, when a fire broke out following a gas leak on the premises of Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) at nearby Eloor Industrial Area today, police said.

A factory official, who did not wish to be named, said there was a gas leak, but declined to provide more details.

Police said the accident occurred at around 10.00. am, when the tyres of a tanker lorry, which brought carbon disulfide to HIL, caught fire and exploded as the gas was being transferred to the facility set up in the factory.

Three fire engines, which rushed to the area, doused the flames.

The injured have been admitted to various private hospitals in Kochi. The condition of one of them was stated to be serious, with more than fifty per cent of his body burned. .

Four of the injured persons have been identified as Ganapathy, Paul, Sijo and John.

Ernakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla said the situation is under control.

Hindustan Insecticides Limited is a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.